Marilyn Cahatol

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic C. Remulla,  the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Police General Melencio Nartatez Jr., and the Bureau of Customs led by Ariel Nepomuceno, conduct an inspection operation against an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing facility at Samyoung Global Enterprises in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga, on February 5, 2026.
The operation follows reports of large-scale production and distribution of untaxed cigarettes as part of the government’s intensified efforts to curb smuggling, tax evasion, human trafficking, and other illegal activities. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ILLEGAL CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177191922234720260205-illegal-cigarette-production-samyoung-MT4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic C. Remulla,  the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Police General Melencio Nartatez Jr., and the Bureau of Customs led by Ariel Nepomuceno, conduct an inspection operation against an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing facility at Samyoung Global Enterprises in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga, on February 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic C. Remulla,  the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Police General Melencio Nartatez Jr., and the Bureau of Customs led by Ariel Nepomuceno, conduct an inspection operation against an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing facility at Samyoung Global Enterprises in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga, on February 5, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday refuted a circulating post attributing to him a controversial statement that downplayed the alleged flood control projects scandal.</p><p>The viral post claimed that Remulla supposedly said: “Move on na tayo sa flood control na ‘yan, papasok na ang summer wala ng tag-ulan. Mas importanteng tutukan itong mga pekeng sigarilyo dahil masama ito sa kalusugan.”</p><p>In a press briefing on Tuesday, Remulla strongly denied making the remarks and stressed the challenge about disinformation.</p><p>“100% fake news. Wala akong sinasabing ganyan. In fact, we are readying already the arrest of the suspects as named, as alleged by Usec Bernardo. Paglabas na paglabas ng warrant ‘yan, aarestuhin namin lahat,” he said.</p><p>He added that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is prepared to implement any arrest orders implicated in the anomalous flood control projects.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/bucor-says-convicts-in-flood-control-cases-will-be-sent-to-mindoro-not-metro-manila-1324">Bucor says convicts in flood control cases will be sent to Mindoro, not Metro Manila</a></div><p>“The PNP is more than ready to arrest. Pero ‘yung sinabi kong gano&#x27;n, fake news ‘yun. Ang dami nga nagalit sa akin dahil dun eh. Hindi ko naman sinasabi. This is the age of disinformation,” he stressed.</p><p>The clarification comes amid ongoing government operations against smuggling and the illegal manufacture of cigarettes, which some netizens claim has become the administration’s primary focus.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RED NOTICE FOR ZALDY CO </strong></div><p>Remulla also provided an update regarding businessman and fugitive Zaldy Co, saying a request for a red notice has already been initiated.</p><p>“Ongoing na ‘yung request for red notice kay Zaldy Co. So that should happen this month. Lalabas na lahat ‘yun. So, handa na kami. Whatever the Sandiganbayan says, handa na kami to execute the warrant of arrest,” he said.</p><p>According to the secretary, authorities have ascertained that Co is already abroad.</p><p>He explained that there are two possible modes for Co’s return: surrender or extradition.</p><p>However, he noted that the Philippines has no extradition treaty in place in this case, leaving surrender as a possible option should the host government agree.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/13/supreme-court-directs-ombudsman-to-comment-on-zaldy-co-s-petition-over-flood-control-cases-1418">Supreme Court directs Ombudsman to comment on Zaldy Co’s petition over flood control cases<br/></a></div><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>REMULLA DENIES OWNING SUV WITH PLATE NUMBER &#x27;6&#x27; </strong></div><p>Remulla also dismissed claims circulating online that he owns and was riding in a black SUV bearing plate number “6,” which allegedly used sirens and blinkers while passing through Ayala Avenue in Makati.</p><p>Videos shared on social media showed an SUV with plate number “No. 6” moving swiftly through traffic, prompting speculation among some netizens that Remulla was on board.</p><p>“I don&#x27;t know when that happened. I think it&#x27;s fake. Mercedes? Wala akong gano&#x27;n ng kotse. Ang kotse ko ay Sequoia tsaka isang Escalade. Fake ‘yun,” he added.</p><p>Remulla clarified that the “6” plate number is not exclusive to him, saying that all Cabinet secretaries also use the same number.</p><p>He also said that only a limited number of national officials are authorized to use such privileges, including the President, Vice President, Secretary of Justice, the DILG Secretary, and the NBI Director.</p><p>On allegations that he used sirens to cut through traffic, Remulla said it may be necessary at times due to official duties.</p><p>&quot;It is sometimes necessarily my duty na nagmamadali kami. But to be abusive about it, hindi naman. Saka, road rage, wala akong road rage. Tulog ako sa kotse lagi. So, hindi ko alam,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong><strong></strong><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WbFH2OR-cWc?si=KXUOxwhcNLzJDZxi" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday refuted a circulating post attributing to him a controversial statement downplaying the alleged flood control projects scandal.</p>

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday refuted a circulating post attributing to him a controversial statement downplaying the alleged flood control projects scandal.

Remulla calls flood control remarks ‘fake news,’ denies owning SUV with plate number '6'

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Remulla calls flood control remarks ‘fake news,’ denies owning SUV with plate number '6'

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 24, 2026 03:52 PM PHT

Read More:

DILG

Jonvic Remulla

fake news

smuggling

flood control

number 6 car plate

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